Spring Racing 2023: Here’s who failed to pull off their look at the 2022 Melbourne Cup – and the surprising trends for this year’s event
Australia’s most fashionable and influential women took to the circuit in Melbourne and Sydney as they donned Barbie-themed dresses and sheer, bejeweled gowns for the Spring Racing Carnival.
However, a look back at the Flemington Birdcage shows that some socialites didn’t quite live up to their race day looks, despite being ‘high-end’.
But this year, things are expected to look a little different as a trend towards a more ‘casual’ race day experience takes place.
The toned-down trend on the track was evident at Royal Randwick Racecourse on October 14, when women turned out in statement midriff-length dresses and men opted for chinos and blazers over traditional race suits.
Cut-out dresses were strictly banned from members areas in 2021 – but have made a comeback as a relaxed style trend on the circuit – Kate Waterhouse is pictured in a blue Rebecca Vallance outfit on Everest Day
Men have also shown up in a more casual manner – Racing Victoria recently allowed shorts to be allowed in members areas from Melbourne Cup Day – two men pictured at the Everest Cup at Randwick on October 14
Even Kate Waterhouse, member of Australia’s most famous racing family, rocked a dress that would have turned her off just two years ago.
Rebecca Vallance’s striking blue striped dress featured a series of cutouts, one of which showed off her toned stomach.
A controversial announcement from the Victoria Racing Committee almost guarantees that more people will take a more relaxed approach to their appearance on the track.
While many thought chinos and a blazer were already ‘too relaxed’ for men, those heading to Flemington now have the option of wearing shorts – breaking with more than a century of tradition.
New rules from the Victorian Racing Club will allow men to wear shorts in the members’ area at Flemington for the very first time in the Melbourne Cup’s long history (Photo: A male model wears shorts at the launch of the Cup Carnival on Monday)
Veteran coach Gai Waterhouse was shocked by the announcement, calling the idea ‘stupid’ and urging the VRC to stick to tradition
Racing matriarch Gai Waterhouse is against the measure which she believes will make race day far too informal, despite her own daughter appearing to embrace the more relaxed atmosphere.
“It’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen,” she said after being asked about the decision to allow men to wear shorts.
Ny Breaking Australia has looked back at the Birdcage’s worst outfits in 2022 in preparation for the carnival that kicks off with Derby Day this weekend.
Derby day fails
Derby Day is for women who like to keep it black and white.
It is also known as the ‘safe day’ of the Spring Racing Carnival as it is harder to ‘get it wrong’ when such a limited color palette is offered.
Luxury accessories guru Jaimie Belle Kennedy made a rare appearance on the ‘worst dressed’ list on Derby Day last year, despite donning a $2,100 dress and $1,500 shoes
Pip Edwards also made the day’s worst-dressed list after missing the mark in a black suit and veiled cowgirl hat
But there were still plenty of slip-ups with sky-high fascinators that detracted from dresses, V-neck tops and corsets that exposed cleavage.
Luxury accessories guru Jaimie Belle Kennedy made a rare appearance on the ‘worst dressed’ list on the day she attended the event in a $2,100 black plunging Dolce & Gabbana dress with a matching black veil.
Unfortunately, cricket WAG Erin Holland raised eyebrows when she appeared courtside as the slit of her dress was just a little too high to be comfortable.
Cricket WAG Erin Holland raised eyebrows as she attended Penfolds Derby Day at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Saturday wearing an outfit with a dangerously high slit that exposed a lot more than she bargained for
Pip Edwards’ take on cowboy charm fell flat with an over-the-top hat to match her ill-fitting suit.
The Melbourne Cup fails
Barbie dresses, form-fitting neon colors and very short dresses were popular on Melbourne Cup Day last year and while most of the celebrity guests looked great, some ended up on the ‘worst dressed’ list.
Nadia Fairfax and Tegan Martin missed the mark in their attempts to get on the Barbie-core bandwagon
Tegan Martin missed the mark with her Barbie-inspired get-up
Melissa Leong made an early run as the worst dressed with this satin suit that she paired with a patent leather hat
Among them was Nadia Fairfax, who stepped out in a long-sleeved kimono-inspired outfit that hugged her petite frame and resembled a bathrobe.
Melissa Leong made an early run as the worst dressed with a satin suit that she paired with a patent leather hat.
While Tegan Martin missed the mark with her Barbie-inspired get-up.
Oaks Day fails
Sheer dresses and bling were a fan favorite on Oaks Day last year and while most of the guests at the Birdcage looked phenomenal, some could have used some help getting dressed up that day.
Rebecca Harding turned heads for all the wrong reasons, despite usually making best-dressed lists
Melissa Leong was on the worst dressed list twice during the carnival
Andy Lee’s girlfriend Rebecca Harding’s strange semi-sheer dress, asymmetrical jacket and pastel blue headpiece hit all the wrong notes
Melissa Leong wore a Cinderella-inspired ensemble with jewels, which was a bizarre choice and landed her on the worst-dressed list for the second time.